BLUES MOURN PASSING OF CHERYL WAAKA

The Blues are deeply saddened by the passing of Cheryl Waaka MNZM, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner, pioneering coach and trailblazer for women’s rugby.

Cheryl holds a special place in our history. In 2021 she was an assistant coach of the inaugural nib Blues side, helping lay the foundations of our first ever women’s team and guiding a group of players as they made history in blue.

That was one chapter in a lifetime of breaking new ground. Cheryl played 20 Tests for the Black Ferns as a loose forward between 1997 and 2004. She won the Rugby World Cup in 1998 and 2002 and scored a try in the 2002 final against England.

After her playing days she kept opening doors for others, particularly in Northland.

In 2005 she became the first woman to coach a Northland senior men’s club team, at Kaikohe. In 2019, she was the first coach of Northland’s women’s team in the Farah Palmer Cup, alongside Susan Dawson.

Her service to the game was recognised with an MNZM in 2023. She was named in Northland Rugby’s Women’s Team of the Century in 2024 and inducted as a Northland Legend of Sport in 2025.

Above all, Cheryl inspired countless young players through her actions on and off the field. Many girls and women now have a place in our game because she showed it was possible.

The thoughts and condolences of the entire Blues whānau are with Cheryl’s whānau and friends, Northland Rugby, the Kaikohe Rugby Football and Sports Club, and everyone across the rugby community who were touched by her life.

Haere, haere, haere atu rā. Moe mai rā, Cheryl.